Work-tool positioning system and method

ABSTRACT

One embodiment includes a positioning device configured to couple with a first work-tool device coupling portion, receive an indication of coupling with a first work-tool, detect a first leveling status of the positioning device, wirelessly communicate the detected first leveling status of the positioning device, couple with a second work-tool device coupling portion, receive an indication of coupling with a second work-tool, detect a second leveling status of the positioning device and wirelessly communicate the detected second leveling status of the device. An embodiment may further include a display device configured to wirelessly receive a first leveling status from the positioning device, display a first work-tool working-axis leveling status based on the first leveling status, wirelessly receive a second leveling status from the positioning device, and display a second work-tool working-axis leveling status based on the second leveling status.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No.13/212,989 filed on Aug. 18, 2011 which claims benefit of U.S.Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/724,326 filed on Mar. 15, 2010which application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/159,968 filed on Mar. 13, 2009, all of whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entiretiesfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Leveling is the positioning of a plane of an object perpendicular to thegravitational axis of the earth; whereas a plane is plumb when it isparallel to the earth's gravitational axis. For example, in a householdsetting, people typically prefer to level pictures, mirrors, and otherframed objects so that these objects are parallel to the floor, ceilingand walls of a house, which are presumed to be level themselves. In aconstruction setting, numerous structural elements must be leveled tosatisfy building codes and esthetic preferences. For example, asdiscussed above, leveling of framed objects requires that structures ofa home be themselves level, which must be done during construction.Additionally, leveling may be important when working with tools so thatcuts, holes or other modifications of a work-piece are correctly made.

Positioning may include the placement of an object, which may includeits position in three dimensional space, or a rotational orientation. Insome situations, positioning may include leveling. An example ofpositioning may include locating an object a certain distance fromanother object, orienting an object toward a compass point, locating theobject a certain distance from sea level or ground level, and the like.

Various devices and methods can be used to level or position an objector work-tool. One exemplary leveling device is a bubble or spirit level,which is a transparent and slightly curved vial that is incompletelyfilled with liquid. A bubble in this vial settles to the center of thevial when the vial is level.

While this is a typical device used to level or plumb objects, it isdeficient because a user must be able to see the position of the bubblein order to properly use the instrument, and being at a distance, atcertain angles, and having an obstructed view makes bubble levelsunusable. Unfortunately, this substantially limits the use of such adevice in many settings.

Although some work-tools may include a level, work-tools do nottypically allow for robust positioning work-data to be generated andused because such functionalities would be prohibitively expensive to beincluded in numerous work-tools. However, workers may benefit fromreal-time positioning data and an easily visible graphicalrepresentation of such positioning data when using a plurality ofwork-tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denotesimilar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a positioning system in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a positioning device in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of a positioning device in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a power drill configured to couplewith a positioning device, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of a level configured to couple with apositioning device, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view of a framing square configured to couplewith a positioning device, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 a is a side view of a power drill with a battery pack configuredto couple with a positioning device, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 b is a side view of a power drill configured to couple with apositioning device, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a positioning device in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a network diagram of a leveling and positioning system inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a data-flow diagram of communications between devices of aleveling and positioning system in accordance with an embodiment.

SUMMARY

This invention relates generally to leveling and positioning, and morespecifically, to systems and methods for leveling and positioning. Oneembodiment includes a first work-tool having a first work-toolworking-axis and a first work-tool device coupling portion having afirst holding orientation relative to the first work-tool working-axis;a second work-tool having a second work-tool working-axis and a secondwork-tool device coupling portion having a first holding orientationrelative to the first work-tool working-axis.

The system may further include a positioning device configured to couplewith the first work-tool device coupling portion, receive an indicationof coupling with the first work-tool, detect a first leveling status ofthe device, wirelessly communicate the detected first leveling status ofthe device, couple with the second work-tool device coupling portion,receive an indication of coupling with the second work-tool, detect asecond leveling status of the device and wirelessly communicate thedetected second leveling status of the device.

The system may further include a display device configured to wirelesslyreceive a first leveling status from the positioning device, display afirst work-tool working-axis leveling status based on the first levelingstatus, wirelessly receive a second leveling status from the positioningdevice, and display a second work-tool working-axis leveling statusbased on the second leveling status.

A further embodiment includes a method of work-tool positioning thatincludes coupling a positioning device with a first work-tool at a firstwork-tool device coupling portion having a first work-tool devicecoupling portion axis, receiving at the positioning device an indicationof coupling with the first work-tool, detecting by the positioningdevice a first leveling status of the positioning device about a firstpositioning device axis, communicating the detected first levelingstatus of the device to a display device and displaying at the displaydevice an indication of the a leveling status of a first work-tool axisof the first work tool based on the detected first leveling status.

The method may further include decoupling the positioning device fromthe first-work tool, coupling the positioning device with a secondwork-tool at a second work-tool device coupling portion having a secondwork-tool device coupling portion axis, receiving at the positioningdevice an indication of coupling with the second work-tool, detecting bythe positioning device a second leveling status of the positioningdevice about the first device axis, communicating the detected secondleveling status of the positioning device to a display device, anddisplaying at the display device an indication of the a leveling statusof a second work-tool axis of the second work tool based on the detectedfirst leveling status.

DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments presented herein include, but are not limitedto, systems and methods for positioning.

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described usingterms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments describedherein may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. Forpurposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurationsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of theillustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced withoutthe specific details. In other instances, well-known features areomitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrativeembodiments.

Further, various operations and/or communications will be described asmultiple discrete operations and/or communications, in turn, in a mannerthat is most helpful in understanding the embodiments described herein;however, the order of description should not be construed as to implythat these operations and/or communications are necessarily orderdependent. In particular, these operations and/or communications neednot be performed in the order of presentation.

The term “embodiment” is used repeatedly in the present description. Thephrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may.The terms “comprising,” “having” and “including” are synonymous, unlessthe context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a positioning system 100 in accordancewith an embodiment, which includes a positioning device 105A and adisplay device 110. The positioning device 105A comprises a housing 112,which includes a bottom extension 115 at a bottom end 120, which isconfigured to couple with and reside within a coupling slot 125 of thedisplay device 110. The coupling slot 125 is defined by a plurality ofsidewalls 130, which extend from a base 135. A portion of the base 135may comprise a display 132.

The positioning device 105A and display device 110 may be configured tocouple with the bottom end 120 and bottom extension 115 corresponding tothe sidewalls 130 and coupling slot 125. For example, the bottom end 120may be seated on the sidewalls 130 with the bottom end 120 extendingwithin the coupling slot 125. Portions of the display device 110 andpositioning device 105A may have corresponding dimensions and portionssuch that they are operable to couple or join. In some embodiments, thedevices 105A, 110 may couple via magnetism, friction fit, or the like.

In some embodiments, the physical coupling of the devices 105A, 110 mayallow the devices 105A, 110 to operably communicate or share power. Forexample, the display device 110 may charge the positioning device 105A,while the devices 105A, 110 are coupled. One or both of the devices105A, 110 may be configured to receive power via a power cable or viainductive coupling.

The display device 110 may provide for user input in various ways. Forexample, the display 132 may be a touch screen, or there may be one ormore buttons 134 positioned on the sidewalls 130. Further embodimentsmay include any suitable input structure. Additionally, the displaydevice 110 may have one or more display 132 positioned in any suitablelocation on the display device 110. For example, there may be a display132 in the coupling slot 125 on the base 135, on one or more sidewall130 or on a bottom side of the base 135. A display 132 may be a screenor other device operable to visually convey information.

As depicted in FIG. 1 the positioning device housing 112 may comprise aplurality of slots 140, which provide for the coupling of various bandsand other accessories. Such bands and accessories are discussed inrelated utility application Ser. No. 13/212,989 filed on Aug. 18, 2011,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a positioning device 105A, itmay assume other forms in various embodiments. For example FIGS. 2 a and2 b depict two examples of a positioning device 105B, 105C in accordancewith further embodiments. A general embodiment of a positioning device105 is discussed further herein in relation to FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 a depicts a positioning device 105B having a rim 205 and a topand bottom end 210, 215, which include a top and bottom extension 115A,115B respectively. In an embodiment, the top and bottom end 210, 215 maybe configured to couple with and correspond to a portion of a displaydevice 110 as discussed in relation to FIG. 1. For example, the rim 205and one or both of the top and bottom extension 115A, 115B may couplewith and correspond to the sidewalls 130 and coupling slot 125 of adisplay device 110 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 2 b depicts a positioning device 105C embodied as a card. FIG. 2 bdepicts the positioning device comprising a plurality of axes X_(D),Y_(D), and Z_(D). As discussed herein, various positioning devices 100may configured to sense position, level status, compass status, androtation status about one or more axes. Although various figures anddescriptions of the present disclosure relate to a single device axisX_(D), further embodiments may include sensing, converting, displayingand otherwise using position data in relation to a plurality of axes(e.g., X_(D), Y_(D), and Z_(D)).

Similarly, although various figures and descriptions of the presentdisclosure relate to a single work-tool axis X_(T) (see FIGS. 3 a-3 c),further embodiments may include sensing, converting, displaying andotherwise using position data in relation to a plurality of tool-axes(e.g., X_(T), Y_(T), and Z_(T)).

A positioning device 105A, 105B, 105C (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) may beconfigured to couple with one or more work-tools 305, 310, 315, 400A,400B as depicted in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 4 a and 4 b respectively. Forexample, a portion of the positioning device 105A, 105B may correspondto a work-tool device coupling portion 320. Such a correspondence may beanalogous to the correspondence between the positioning device 105A,105B and the display device 110 as discussed herein. The coupling ofpositioning device 105A, 105B, 105C with a work-tool device couplingportion 320 may operably couple the work-tool 305, 310, 315, 400A, 400Band the positioning device 105A, 105B, 105C. For example the work-tool305, 310, 315, 400A, 400B and the positioning device 105A, 105B, 105Cmay share data and power when coupled via the work-tool device couplingportion 320.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a power drill work-tool 305 configuredto couple with a positioning device 105A, 105B via the work-tool devicecoupling portion 320. The work-tool 305 may comprise a first work-toolworking-axis X_(T), which in this embodiment may correspond to the axisof a drill bit within the chuck of the power drill work-tool 305.

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of a level work-tool 310 configured tocouple with a positioning device 105A, 105B, via the work-tool devicecoupling portion 320. The work-tool 310 may comprise an elongated memberwith slots 140 configured for coupling various bands and appliances. Thework-tool 310 may comprise a first work-tool working-axis X_(T), whichin this embodiment may correspond to an axis of the elongated levelwork-tool 310.

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view of a framing square work-tool 315configured to couple with a positioning device 105A, 105B, via thework-tool device coupling portion 320. The work-tool 310 may comprisefirst and second arms 325, 330 comprising slots 140 configured forcoupling various bands and appliances. The work-tool 315 may comprise afirst work-tool working-axis X_(T), which in this embodiment maycorrespond to an axis of the first arm 325, and a second work-toolworking axis Y_(T), which may correspond to an axis of the second arm330.

FIG. 4 a is a side view of a power drill work-tool 400A with batterypack 420A configured to couple with a positioning device 105C, inaccordance with an embodiment. The battery pack 420A may comprise awork-tool device coupling portion 440, which may comprise a slot inwhich the positioning device 105C may reside and couple. The power drillwork-tool 400A may comprise a first work-tool working-axis X_(T).

In various embodiments, the battery pack 420A may comprise arechargeable battery with a pack housing 425 configured to removablycouple with a pack-coupling portion 430 of the power drill work-tool400A. In various embodiments a given pack housing 425 may be configuredto couple with and power a family or brand of power tools. For example,companies such as Dewalt, Bosch, Crasftsman, Dremel, Makita, Miluaukee,Ryobi and Skill each have proprietary battery pack configurations.

As discussed herein, a positioning device 105C may be operable to senseleveling, position, and rotation data about one or more axis (e.g.,X_(D), Y_(D), and Z_(D) as shown in FIG. 2 b). However, when workingwith a power drill work-tool 400A, the user may desire to receive aposition, leveling, or rotation status relative to the first work-toolworking-axis X_(T), given that tool-axis X_(T), corresponds to a portionof the tool 400A that is engaging a work piece. For example, the axis ofa drill bit boring into a piece of wood.

In contrast, the positioning device 105C senses leveling, position, orrotation data about a device axis X_(D), which is not parallel orotherwise coincident with first work-tool working-axis X_(T).Accordingly, leveling, position, or rotation data may be modified sothat it corresponds to leveling, position, or rotation status aboutfirst work-tool working-axis X_(T).

For example, leveling status may be reported in radians and where axisX_(T) and axis X_(D) are not parallel, a defined number of radians maybe added or subtracted from the detected leveling status of device axisX_(D) so that the leveling status of tool-axis X_(T) can be represented.

It may therefore be desirable in various embodiments to have a device105 couple with a work-tool 400 at a position that is known relative totool-axis X_(T). For example, device 105C may couple with battery pack420A at a known position within slot 440 at a holding orientation axisand the battery pack 420A may couple with the pack-coupling portion 430at a known position relative to tool-axis X_(T). Therefore, device-axisX_(D) may be known relative to axis X_(T). Because a battery pack 420Awill couple with a given work-tool in a known position relative to thework-tool's work-tool axis X_(T), the battery pack 420A can be coupledwith various work-tools and the relationship between axis X_(T) and axisX_(D) may be known for each of these work tools (and for each desiredwork-tool axis).

Referring to FIG. 4 b, where device 105C couples with work-tool 400B viacoupling slot 320 (FIG. 3 a) disposed within the work-tool body 410, thecoupling position of the device 105C within the slot 440 may be knownrelative to work-tool axis X_(T), and therefore the position oftool-axis X_(T) may be known relative to device-axis X_(D).

Similarly, where device 105B couples with work-tool 300A, 300B or 300Cvia coupling slot 320, the coupling position of the device 105B withinthe slot 320 may be known relative to work-tool axis X_(T), andtherefore the position of tool-axis X_(T) may be known relative todevice-axis X_(D).

In various embodiments, as further discussed herein, a device 100 mayreceive an indication corresponding to the identity of a work-tool it isassociated with, which may include an indication corresponding to therelationship of a work-tool axis X_(T) and device axis X_(D).

While various embodiments are described herein with a single respectivework-tool axis X_(T) and device axis X_(D), various embodiments mayinclude a plurality of work-tool axes X_(T) and device axes X_(D).Additionally, one or more of relative position, rotation, levelingstatus, and compass direction of a device 100 and work-tool may bedetected and represented respectively. Therefore, the embodimentsdiscussed herein should not be construed to be limiting in any way.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a positioning device 105 in accordance withan embodiment. The device 105 comprises a positioning module 505, whichcomprises a leveling module 510, a rotation module 515, a locationmodule 520 and a compass module 525. As discussed herein, positioningmay refer to leveling, rotation, location, compass orientation, or thelike. Such positioning may be in relation to one or more axis or point.In various embodiments, any of the portions of the embodiment shown inFIG. 5 may be absent, or there may be further elements (e.g., atemperature sensing module).

The leveling module 510 may comprise any suitable device operable todetect a level status. Level status may be the position of an axisrelative to a line pointing toward the magnetic center of the earth. Insome embodiments, level status may be relative to any other desirableframe of reference.

The rotation module 515 may comprise any suitable device operable todetect a rotation status about one or more axes (e.g., roll, pitch,yaw). Such axes may or may not be perpendicular to one another.

The location module 520 may comprise any suitable device operable todetect a position status. For example, in an embodiment, the locationmodule 520 may comprise a global positioning system (GPS), an RFIDsystem, or the like. Positioning may be in reference to an object suchas the earth, a display device 110, a base station, a beacon, or othersuitable reference point. For example, a GPS system may detect aposition status, in one or more dimension, on the earth. In anotherexample, position status may be detected in relation to another deviceor other suitable point of reference. In some embodiments, a positioningmodule 520 may use or comprise other modules in the device 105. Forexample, the wireless module may allow the location status to bedetermined via location relative to one or more wireless base-station,hub, router, or the like.

The compass module 525 may comprise any suitable device operable todetect the directional orientation of an axis relative to a givenlocation. For example, the compass module 525 may be operable to detectthe orientation of an axis relative to magnetic north, or the like.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the positioning device 105 may furthercomprise a memory 530, a processor 535, a wireless communication module540, and a power source 545.

The memory 530 may be any suitable module operable to store data,including a flash memory, random access memory, or the like. In variousembodiments, the memory may store positioning data generated by thepositioning device 105 and modules therein. The memory 530 may store oneor more identifier corresponding to a work-tool, or corresponding to theposition of one or more work-tool axis X_(T) relative to another axis.Additionally, the memory may store programs, routines, software, or thelike.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication module 540 may comprise,one or more of a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, or other suitable wirelessmodule. Various embodiments disclosed herein may utilize one or morewireless network or wireless protocol. One or more wireless network maybe used to operatively inter-connect two or more devices disclosedherein, or may be used to operatively connect one or more devicedisclosed herein with another suitable device, network, or server. Insome embodiments, peer-to-peer wireless connections may be establishedcomprising two or more devices.

For example, in an embodiment, a suitable network may compriseMeshDynamics™ Smart Multi-Grid™ wireless technology, such as MD4000modular and interoperable products, or the like (MeshDynamics Inc.,Santa Clara, Calif.). In one embodiment, a suitable network may compriseZigBee™ devices, may utilize ZigBee™ protocols, or the like (ZigBeeAlliance, San Ramone, Calif.). In one embodiment, a suitable network maycomprise Bluetooth™ devices, may utilize Bluetooth™ protocols, or thelike (Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Kirkland, Wash.).

While some example embodiment described herein may be described as usingone or more specific type of network, the present disclosure should notbe construed to limit the number of types of networks, wireless orotherwise, that may be employed in various embodiments. Accordingly, theexample embodiments described herein merely illustrate some of thenumerous possible networks that may be used, which are within the scopeand spirit of the invention.

The power source 545 may comprise any suitable device operable to powerthe device 105. For example, the power source may be a batter 545, whichmay be rechargeable and/or replaceable.

FIG. 6 is a network diagram of a positioning system 600 in accordancewith an embodiment, which comprises a positioning device 105C that isoperably connected to a display device 110 via a first network 610. Thedisplay device is operably connected to a server 620 and a user device630 via a second network 640. Although a device 105C in accordance withone embodiment is depicted in FIG. 6, one or more of any suitablepositioning device (e.g., device 105, 105A, 105B, 105C, or the like) maybe present in a positioning system 600 in various embodiments.

The server 620 may be any suitable server or computer operable to storeand communicate data, which may include an internet server. The userdevice 630 may be various types of devices including a laptop computer,desktop computer, tablet computer, cellular telephone, gaming console,television, or the like. Although the display device 110 is shown hereaccording to one embodiment, in some embodiments, the display device 110may be a user device 630 or the like.

In an embodiment, the first and second networks 610, 640 may be anysuitable networks. In some embodiments the first and second networks610, 640 may be the same network or connected networks. In oneembodiment, the first network 610 may be a localized or short-rangewireless network such as Bluetooth or Zig-Bee and the second network 640may be a wireless network which includes the internet.

For example, in an embodiment, there may by a plurality of devices 105Cassociated with work-tools 400A, 400B, and the devices 105C may besensing positioning status of a work-tool 400A, 400B that the device105C is associated with. The plurality of devices 105C may be wirelesslyconnected to the display device 110 via the first network 610, which maybe a local area wireless network. Work-data, including position data,may be sent to the display device 110, where it is displayed. Thedisplay device 110 may have a graphic display of leveling status of oneor more work-tool 400A, 400B, which may assist a work-tool user inoperating a given work-tool 400A, 400A in a desired manner (e.g., makinga level hole with a drill). The display device 110 may also displayother useful graphic representations of work-data, including theposition of one or more work-tools 400A, 400B relative to one another,the identity of one or more work-tools 400A, 400B, or the like.

Work-data from one or more device 105C may be communicated to one ormore server 620 or user device 630. For example, work-data may begenerated by a plurality of positioning devices 105 while associatedwith a plurality of work-tools over a period of time (as the positioningdevice 105 is transferred from one work-tool to another). Such work-datacan be saved on a server 620 and may then be accessed by the user device630 or display device 110. For example, a set of work-data may beaccessed by a company user device 630 to audit or track work done byemployees. A set of work-data may be presented which indicates whichwork-tools were used over a period of time with a given positioningdevice 105, how many actions were performed by work-tools whileassociated with a positioning device 105 (e.g., number of cuts, holesdrilled or the like), positioning accuracy of such work-tool actions(e.g., how many actions were level, straight or the like or anindication of how accurate a set of actions were), or location of thedevice 105 over a period of time. Accordingly, it may be desirable toassign company workers a positioning device 105 so that an employer maytrack, monitor and assess the quality and quantity of work performed byeach of its workers

FIG. 7 is a data-flow diagram of communications between devices of aleveling and positioning system in accordance with an embodiment,wherein the positioning device 105C is coupled with a first work-tool705, decoupled from the first work-tool 705 and coupled with a secondwork-tool 710. For example, a worker may desire to use the firstwork-tool 705 with the aid of the positioning device 105C and then maydesire to use the second work-tool 710 with the aid of the positioningdevice 105C.

The communications begin with an optional communication (denoted by thedashed line), where a first work-tool 705 sends 715 deviceidentification data to the positioning device 105C. For example,referring to FIG. 4 b in an embodiment where the positioning device 105Ccouples with a slot 440 in the work-tool body 410, the work-tool may beconfigured to communicate work-tool identification data to thepositioning device 105C. In an embodiment, work-tool identification datamay correspond to or comprise an indication of a work-tool make andmodel, a work-tool serial number or MAC address, a relationship betweenone or more work-tool axis X_(T) and device axis X_(D), and the like.

However, in some embodiments, the positioning device 105C may receivework-tool identification data from another source (e.g., the displaydevice 110) or may not receive work-tool identification data. Forexample, referring to FIG. 4 a, in some embodiments a device 105Ccoupled with a battery pack 420A may not receive a work-tool identifierwhen the battery pack 420A is coupled or uncoupled from a givenwork-tool. In some embodiments, a user may select a work-tool via adisplay device 110 and the positioning device 105C may therefore receivea work-tool identifier via the display device 110. Receiving work-toolidentification data from a display device 110 or the like may bedesirable in embodiments where a positioning device 100 does notautomatically receive work-tool identification data from a work-toolwhen the positioning device 105C couples with a work-tool.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the device 105C may set 720 work-toolassociation. Setting 720 work-tool association may be an indication thatthe device 105C is coupled with a work-tool, that the device 105C iscoupled with a specific work-tool, or may include a setting to convertwork-data sensed by the positioning device 105C from a positioningdevice axis X_(D) to correspond to a work-tool axis X_(T).

The positioning device 105C may sense or receive 725 work-data, and send730 the work-data to display device 110, which may in turn send 735 thework-data to the server 620. Work-data may be stored 740, 745 at thedisplay device 110 and the server 620. In some embodiments, work-datamay be also be stored (not shown) at the positioning device 105C.

Work-data may comprise various types of data related to the operationand position of a work-tool. For example, work-data may include dataregarding operation of the work tool such as RPM of a tool-motor,depression status of a tool-trigger, battery life of a work-toolbattery, temperature various portions of a work tool, or the like.Additionally, work-data may comprise position data as described herein.

In another optional step, work-tool identification data may be sent 750from a second work-tool 710 to the positioning device 105C (e.g., wherethe positioning device 105C is de-coupled from the first work-tool andthen coupled with the second work-tool 710). The positioning device 105Cmay set 755 work-tool association (e.g., an association to the secondwork-tool 710 when the positioning device 105C is de-coupled from thefirst work-tool and then coupled with the second work-tool 710).

The positioning device 105C may sense 760 work-data, and send 765 thework-data to display device 110, which may in turn send 770 thework-data to the server 620. Work-data may be stored 775, 780 at thedisplay device 110 and the server 620. In some embodiments, work-datamay also be stored at the positioning device 105C (not shown).

In some embodiments, a work-tool may be configured to be operableconnected to a display device 110 or the like. For example, a work-toolmay be configured to wirelessly communicate with a display device 110 orthe like.

For example, in an embodiment, a display device 110 may be operable toidentify and locate a plurality of work-tools within proximity of thedisplay device 110 that are operable to couple with a positioning device100. This may be desirable because a positioning device 100 user may beable to locate work-tools that can be used with a positioning device100, even if those work-tools are presently unknown to the worker or donot belong to the worker.

Although certain specific embodiments of work-tools are described hereinincluding power drill work-tools 305, 400A, 400B, level work-tool 310and square work-tool 315. Work-tools may be any suitable tool, vehicle,or the like. For example, work-tools may comprise a crane, circular saw,chainsaw, reciprocating saw, backhoe, tractor, or the like.Additionally, in some embodiments, a plurality of positioning devices100 may be coupled with a given work-tool. For example, where awork-tool is a backhoe, a positioning device 100 may couple with thebucket of the backhoe, and another positioning device 100 may couplewith the vehicle cab of the backhoe. This may be desirable because,using this example, sensing position of the bucket and cab independentlymay be useful when operating the backhoe.

Additionally, although specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art and others, that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalentimplementations may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown inthe described without departing from the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein. Any embodiment discussed herein may be suitablyinterchanged with another embodiment, and the present disclosure shouldbe interpreted to provide for such interchangeability. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodimentdiscussed herein. While various embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

1. A positioning system, the system comprising: a first work-tool comprising: a first work-tool working-axis; and a first work-tool device coupling portion having a first holding orientation axis relative to the first work-tool working-axis, a second work-tool comprising: a second work-tool working-axis; and a second work-tool device coupling portion having a second holding orientation axis relative to the first work-tool working-axis, a positioning device configured to: couple with the first work-tool device coupling portion; receive an indication of coupling with the first work-tool; detect a first leveling status of the device; wirelessly communicate the detected first leveling status of the device; couple with the second work-tool device coupling portion; receive an indication of coupling with the second work-tool; detect a second leveling status of the device; and wirelessly communicate the detected second leveling status of the device, and a display device configured to: wirelessly receive a first leveling status from the positioning device; display a first work-tool working-axis leveling status based on the first leveling status; wirelessly receive a second leveling status from the positioning device; and display a second work-tool working-axis leveling status based on the second leveling status.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first work-tool device coupling portion is a portion of a battery pack configured to removably couple with and power the first work-tool.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first work-tool is configured to automatically provide the positioning device a first work-tool indicator when coupled with the positioning device, the first work-tool indicator being associated with a spacial relationship between the first work-tool working-axis and the first holding orientation axis.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning device comprises a device housing, wherein the first work-tool comprises a housing, and wherein a portion of the device housing corresponds to a portion of the first work-tool housing, the portion of the first work-tool housing comprising the first work-tool device coupling portion.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the display device comprises a display device housing, and wherein the portion of the portion of the device housing corresponding to a portion of the first work-tool housing also corresponds to a portion of the display device housing.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the display device and positioning device are configured to operably couple via the corresponding portions of the display housing and device housing.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the display device comprises: a base; a plurality of sidewalls extending from the base, a display cavity defined by the base and the sidewalls display cavity; a display disposed within a portion of the base and within the display cavity.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning device is configured to sense temperature.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning device is configured to detect a leveling status, a location status, and a rotation status.
 10. A method of work-tool positioning, the method comprising: coupling a positioning device with a first work-tool at a first work-tool device coupling portion having a first work-tool device coupling portion axis; receiving at the positioning device an indication of coupling with the first work-tool; detecting by the positioning device a first leveling status of the positioning device about a first positioning device axis; communicating the detected first leveling status of the device to a display device; displaying at the display device an indication of the a leveling status of a first work-tool axis of the first work tool based on the detected first leveling status; decoupling the positioning device from the first-work tool; coupling the positioning device with a second work-tool at a second work-tool device coupling portion having a second work-tool device coupling portion axis; receiving at the positioning device an indication of coupling with the second work-tool; detecting by the positioning device a second leveling status of the positioning device about the first device axis; communicating the detected second leveling status of the positioning device to a display device; and displaying at the display device an indication of the a leveling status of a second work-tool axis of the second work tool based on the detected first leveling status.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein coupling the positioning device with a first work-tool at a first work-tool device coupling portion comprises: coupling the positioning device with rechargeable battery pack comprising the first work-tool device coupling portion; and coupling the battery pack with the first work-tool at a battery pack coupling portion.
 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the positioning device receiving first work-tool identification data while coupled with the first work tool, the first work-tool identification data corresponding to a relationship between the first work-tool device coupling portion axis and the first work-tool axis.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising communicating the first and second leveling status from the positioning device to the display device via a first local wireless network.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising communicating the first and second leveling status from the display device to a remote device via second wireless network that is different from the first local wireless network.
 15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the display device obtaining work-tool identification data corresponding to a relationship between the first work-tool device coupling portion axis and the first work-tool axis.
 16. A positioning system, the system comprising: a first work-tool comprising: a first work-tool working-axis; and a first work-tool device coupling portion having a first holding orientation axis relative to the first work-tool working-axis, a second work-tool comprising: a second work-tool working-axis; and a second work-tool device coupling portion having a second holding orientation axis relative to the first work-tool working-axis, a positioning device configured to: couple with the first work-tool device coupling portion; receive an indication of coupling with the first work-tool; detect a first positioning status of the device; wirelessly communicate the detected first positioning status of the device; couple with the second work-tool device coupling portion; receive an indication of coupling with the second work-tool; detect a second positioning status of the device; and wirelessly communicate the detected second positioning status of the device, and a display device configured to: wirelessly receive a first positioning status from the positioning device; display a first work-tool working-axis positioning status based on the first positioning status; wirelessly receive a second positioning status from the positioning device; and display a second work-tool working-axis positioning status based on the second positioning status. 